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Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, CAROLINE CLEMMONS and her favorite recipe for APPLESAUCE CAKE & CARAMEL ICING!

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Thank you, Karen, for having me as your guest.

Are you a Christmas fan? I love, love, love Christmas. About this time of year, I start my shopping. In fact, I’ve already hidden away two gifts. Let’s hope I remember where I’ve hidden them in time for gift-giving.

I read Christmas stories all year. Now that Fall is here, I am especially diving into the spirit with tales of Christmas cheer. I had such fun writing my Christmas publications and hope you’ll let me share them with you. One is a contemporary romance and the other two are historical western romances.

MISTLETOE MISTAKEBY CAROLINE CLEMMONS

BLURB

Shannon Callahan worked hard to become a physician. In New York, she meets resistance to a woman doctor and feels she is no more than a midwife. When the opportunity arises for her to go to Montana and be the only doctor in the town of Mistletoe, she grabs the chance.

Riley McCallister is sheriff of Mistletoe. When he learns the new doctor is a woman, he is shocked and vows never to let her treat him—no matter how beautiful she is. Slowly, Shannon’s skill wins his respect—and more. Shannon’s expertise and dedication during a measles epidemic convinces the town she is a good doctor—but does their acceptance come too late?

MISTLETOE MISTAKE Originally included in the anthology Wild Western Women…Mistletoe, Montana. Set in 1887 Montana Territory.

MISTLETOE MISTAKEBY CAROLINE CLEMMONS

EXCERPT

Outside the store, a crowd of running children barreled into her and she grabbed the wall to stop a fall. “Whoa. Where are you going so fast?”

Poor dog was filthy with several shades of brown hair. He was far too large to be toted around in the sheriff’s arms.

“Is that your dog?” She reached out to scratch between the creature’s ears. He ducked as if he thought she’d hit him.

After putting her parcel more securely under her arm, she caught the dog’s muzzle in her hands. “Poor boy, has someone been mean to you? I won’t hurt you.” She stroked his head and scratched between his ears.

The dog’s eyes lost their fear and he licked her hand. The crowd of children chose her distraction to run away.

“That Doan horde probably didn’t intend to be mean, but they were terrorizing this animal. Five of them fighting over him and pulling him first one way and then the other. They’re lucky he didn’t bite one of them.”

“Whose is he?”

“Never saw him before. Looks as if he’s missed a lot of meals.”

“And baths.” She smiled at the lawman. “I guess you have a dog, Sheriff. What are you going to name him?”

The sheriff shook his head. “He’s not mine. I just don’t want him harmed or frightened.”

“Or hungry or dirty or lonely. You definitely have yourself a dog.”

He leaned toward her and spoke over the dog, “I tell you, I don’t.”

Shannon crossed her arms. “Think not? Put him down and walk away and you’ll see.”

Shooting her a glare, he set the dog on the boardwalk. When the sheriff stepped away, the dog stayed at his heels.

Shannon laughed. “You’d better feed your dog, Sheriff. And name him.”

His eyes held mirth even though he pretended to be angry with her. “I should call him Shannon, but I guess I’ll name him Sylvester. I imagine I can get some scraps from the café.”

“Now you have someone to make rounds with you each day.”

He stopped and stared at the dog. “Hear that, Sylvester. Guess you’re the new deputy.”

Still chuckling, Shannon walked toward her new home. Getting out on such a nice day lifted her mood. She’d even had a halfway decent conversation with the sheriff. And his dog.

ANGEL FOR CHRISTMAS is contemporary. I love this story and hope you will too. Fans have suggested it would make a great Hallmark Christmas movie.

ANGEL FOR CHRISTMAS
BY CAROLINE CLEMMONSBLURB

When a dot com billionaire crashes his sports car into a tree, he wakes up in heaven facing angels Gabriel and Michael. He’s given a chance to redeem his carefree ways by helping an orphanage avoid foreclosure and regain a sound financial picture by midnight on Christmas Eve—or else. To do so, he is sent back to earth as orphanage janitor, Jacob Porter.

After her father died four months ago, child psychologist Suzi Stephens was shocked to learn Serenity Springs Children’s Home and Elementary School faced foreclosure unless she met a balloon note due January 1. She can’t understand why her late father broke the trust her grandfather had carefully constructed to protect the private home. She is afraid the annual gala won’t raise enough money to pay the note much less the needed year’s operating funds. Trying to do her job plus step into her late father’s shoes has stretched her to her limits.

She’s suspicious of the handsome new janitor, who appears more like he’d be at home as a CEO. Could he be a spy for the developer who covets the children’s home property? Suzi overcomes her distrust enough to allow Jacob’s help raising funds. Working together, their attraction escalates but Jacob has nothing to offer the beautiful redhead. He is scheduled for earthly removal at midnight on December 24.

Christmas has been Celia Dubois’s favorite time of year as long as she can remember. When she moves in with her parents a year after the death of her husband, the young widow is appalled at the town’s lack of Christmas spirit. Two months earlier, banditos had burned the church and crushed the townspeople. Celia vows to return holiday joy to the town. Perhaps doing so might help mend her aching heart. Will Celia’s plan work magic?

Rancher Eduardo Montoya knows Celia is the woman for him. She enchants him with her winning smile and vivacious nature. When her father warns Eduardo away from Celia, Eduardo is both angry and frustrated. After he stops a robbery in her father’s mercantile, will Celia’s parents change their minds about him? Can handsome Eduardo heal Celia’s sorrow?

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To make up for this tragic error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a small office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. The books she creates there have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.

I hope you enjoy the recipe Caroline is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 340 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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Note from Caroline: I’d love to share a favorite Christmas recipe with you. My family is big on tradition and this one is a part of every Christmas. We never make it any other time—except our youngest daughter asked for the icing one year for her birthday.

Sift flour, soda, cloves, and nutmeg together and set aside. In large bowl mix shortening, sugar and eggs and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape bowl while mixing. Add applesauce, dates (or raisins), and nuts and mix. Add flour mixture and beat slowly for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured tube or Bundt pan. Bake at 350° F for about 45 minutes. Let cake cool in the pan. When cool, cake may be served or frosted with Caramel Icing.

Put 1 cup of the sugar into a heavy skillet and let caramelize slowly. Be careful not to let it burn or scorch or it will be bitter. Into saucepan put sugar and cream. Let come to a slow boil. Gradually pour caramelized sugar into this and cook to a soft ball stage. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Beat to desired consistency and spread on cake.

Thanks again to Karen for having me as her guest. Dear Readers, I hope you are each in the holiday spirit now.

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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Caroline will give away an ebook copy of one of her books (winner’s choice) to one lucky reader who comments on this Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog.